This is the eighth year Mayfest organizers entered Mayfest into the Pinnacle awards. Over the past years, Mayfest entries won multiple awards per year in various categories.

“The Pinnacle awards showcase some of the best events from across the world,” said Heather Pingry, executive director of Mayfest. “We are thrilled to receive recognition among leaders in our industry, and we also enjoy the opportunity to showcase Tulsa to event planners from across the world in this competition.”

Sponsored by industry leader Haas & Wilkerson Insurance, the professional competition draws entries from among the world’s top festivals and events. Winning entries came from organizations as diverse as Bumbershoot in Seattle, Wash.; Boulevardia in Kansas City, Mo.; Denver Comic Con in Denver, Colo.; Philadelphia Flower Show in Philadelphia, Pa.; Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival in Temecula, Calif.; National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, DC and Luminato Festival in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

“We are extremely pleased to receive so many awards this year,” said Mary Jo Sartain, Mayfest festival chair. “We are especially thrilled that the Cooper family was recognized in three different awards, as they have dedicated many hours of service to Mayfest over the years. Their contributions, and contributions from other local artists, are what make Mayfest such a wonderful event.”

The 2014 Mayfest attracted approximately 350,000 attendees over four days. The art festival offers vendors selling arts and handmade goods, various art shows, live music and food vendors.

International contenders included such diverse event organizations as the North Sea Jazz Festival in Rotterdam, Netherlands; Misteria Paschalia Festival in Krakow, Poland; Hero Insolito in New Delhi, India; World Gourmet Summit, Singapore; Festival Lent, Maribor, Slovenia and the Seoul Cartoon & Animation Festival in Seoul, South Korea.

“We would like to congratulate all of our Pinnacle winners for their outstanding entries into this year’s competition,” said IFEA President & CEO, Steven Wood Schmader, CFEE. “The IFEA/Haas & Wilkerson Pinnacle Awards Competition recognizes the outstanding accomplishments and top quality creative, promotional, operational and community outreach programs and materials produced by festivals and events around the world. Striving for the highest degree of excellence in festival and event promotions and operations in every budget level and every corner of the globe, this competition has not only raised the standards and quality of the festivals and events industry to new levels, but also shows how event producers can use innovation and creativity to achieve a higher level of success.”

About International Festivals & Events Association

Headquartered in Boise, Idaho, the International Festivals & Events Association (IFEA) is The Premiere Association Supporting and Enabling Festival & Event Professionals Worldwide. In partnership with global affiliates under the umbrellas of IFEA Africa, IFEA Asia, IFEA Australia, IFEA Europe, IFEA Latin America, IFEA Middle East (MENASA), and IFEA North America, the organization’s common vision is for “A Globally United Industry that Touches Lives in a Positive Way through Celebration.” The Association offers the most complete source of ideas, resources, information, education and networking for festival and event professionals worldwide.

For a complete list of winners and more information on the IFEA, go to www.ifea.com.

Sean Tyler, a homeschool high school junior, a student at Heidi Contreras School of Art, and a Youth Art Gallery artist, received the PSO Mark of Excellence award and a $500 prize. Tyler entered her mixed media floral painting called Field Trip, which is on display in the Youth Art Gallery at the Performing Arts Center until 3 p.m. on Sunday, May 18. Representatives from PSO will present Tyler with her award at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 17, at the Youth Art Gallery in the Performing Arts Center.

“The fields were very competitive this year,” said Heather Pingry, executive director of Mayfest. “We’ve got amazing artists that entered very high-quality work. Our judges had a tough decision, and the winners are quite deserving.”

Visual/juried artists are the artists that show their work in outdoor booths at Mayfest. These winners are awarded in various categories, and are as follows:

Photography – Tracy Peterson Saldo

Painting – Christopher Westfall

Graphics/Printmaking – Vicki Bolen

Glass – Sandra Kaye

Clay – Frank Campbell

Metal – Dennis Conner

Mixed Media – Linda Tong

Leather/Fiber – Brockman Leather

Jewelry – Mark Jiminez

Digital – Bob Collier Jewett

Drawing – Dennis Rhodes

The Invitational Gallery, set in the lobby of the Williams towers, crowned three winners. They are:

1st – Matthew Bearden for his acrylic on canvas, Governor Joe

2nd – Nathan Opp, for his oil on paper, Mudhra Series #8

3rd – C (Elizabeth) Smathers for her turned cottonwood bowl, Vortex

Youth Art Gallery awards are given in two categories for each age group. The youth awards are as follows:

Mayfest showcases more than 75 performers on three outdoor stages each year. Musicians from all genres have the opportunity to receive exposure and recognition from more than 350,000 attendees during the event. Musicians from rock to blues and country to jazz all performed in 2013.

The performing artist application process is new for 2014, and requires an electronic press kit containing items like performing artists’ bios, pictures and audio examples. Resources are provided for artists who do not currently have an electronic press kit. Performing artist applications are available online at www.tulsamayfest.org/music/. All performance applications are available now and must be submitted online by Dec. 18, 2013.

Additionally, Mayfest features approximately 100 fine visual artists and 20 craftspeople during the four-day festival. Entries are professionally judged according to strict guidelines through a blind jury process. Many participating artists in recent years reported record sales after Mayfest; therefore competition for booth space is increasing each year. Mayfest artists work in various mediums, including wood, clay, paints and more.

“I look forward to applying to Mayfest every year. It’s by far my favorite spring event,” said Christopher Westfall, past Mayfest artist. “The board, staff and volunteers are very helpful, and I enjoy seeing old friends and collectors.”

Tulsa International Mayfest is also currently accepting applications from food vendors and food trucks for next year’s festival. After the success of local food trucks attending Mayfest in 2013, trucks will again join the traditional food vendors.

Mayfest features approximately 30 food vendors during the four-day festival, and includes treats such as corn dogs, funnel cakes and more.

“Each year, Mayfest seeks to provide the best visual and performing artists to Tulsa,” said Heather Pingry, executive director of Tulsa International Mayfest. “Providing the best festival food enhances the experience for attendees and artists. The Tulsa community now offers great food trucks, and we are excited to again incorporate them into the festival.”

The selection committee will review applications based upon the quality of foods, variety of menu, and pricing; food service experience with large crowds; needs of food preparation and size of facility requirements; past compliance with county and state health regulations; and previous experience and successful operation at other major festivals.

Food vendor applications are available at www.tulsamayfest.org/food/ and will be available on Oct. 1, 2013, with a final deadline of Jan. 15, 2014.

The art festival offers vendors selling fine arts and handmade goods, various art shows, live music and food vendors.

]]>http://tulsamayfest.org/tulsa-mayfest-seeks-food-vendors-visual-and-perfoming-artists/feed/0New Mayfest Art Market for Kids Seeking Submissionshttp://tulsamayfest.org/new-mayfest-art-market-for-kids-seeking-submissions/
http://tulsamayfest.org/new-mayfest-art-market-for-kids-seeking-submissions/#commentsWed, 17 Apr 2013 11:00:08 +0000http://tulsamayfest.org/?p=2118Mayfest is requesting art donations to foster children’s interest in art. Art Beginnings, a new addition to KidZone, will be open Saturday, May 18 from 11am to 7 pm and Sunday May 19 from 11 a.m. – 6:oo p.m or until all art is purchased. This just-for-kids gallery is an opportunity for Mayfest’s youngest attendees to develop their love of art. Admission is $5 per child, and each child may choose one piece to take home. Art Beginnings is open to children ages twelve and under.

To populate the gallery and nurture the children’s love of art, Mayfest is asking local artists and artisans to donate pieces of art to Art Beginnings. Donated art can be any size or medium, including paint, pottery and more.

Austin-based Monte Montgomery is a longtime Tulsa favorite. Named one of the “Top 50 Guitar Players” of all time by Guitar Magazine, Montgomery is often called a “triple threat” for his outstanding vocal, songwriting and guitar skills. He is currently touring behind his critically acclaimed release, Tethered.

From Bearden, Oklahoma, young John Fullbright has seen the national spotlight shine his way the last few years. A tremendous talent, Fullbright was chosen to perform at this year’s Grammy Award Ceremony. His album, From the Ground Up, was nominated for “Best Americana Album”. His songwriting invokes musical heroes like Jimmy Webb, Randy Newman and Townes Van Zandt.

Royal Southern Brotherhood‘s debut release was recently nominated “Best Blues Rock Album” by the Blues Music Foundation. The members of this musical supergroup have impressive pedigrees – Cyril Neville (The Meters & The Nevill Brothers), Devon Allman (Honey Tribe, son of Greg Allman), Mike Zito (award winning blues guitarist), Charlie Wooten (award winning bassist) & Yonrico Scott (Derek Trucks band). In the US South, where music is religion, two rock ‘n’ roll bloodlines tower above all others and mere mention of the Allman and Neville Brothers casts a magic spell. With a lineup comprising both the iconic Cyril Neville and Devon Allman, Royal Southern Brotherhood come pre-loaded with expectations. Don’t worry: they can match them. The family tree might be auspicious, but this new band trades on talent, not genealogy. It’s not about rock history: it’s about the here-and-now.

Jason Isbell was born in Greenhill Alabama. Isbell joined the Drive-by Truckers in 2001 where he recorded and wrote for the band over their next three albums, authoring some of their more popular songs. He left the Truckers in 2007 and quickly released his first solo album “Sirens of the Ditch”. Since then he and his group the 400 unit have released three more albums and have performed at music venues everywhere, appearing on many music-related television programs. He continues to write and perform to critical acclaim and just recently won an Americana Music Award for song of the year “Alabama Pines”, about his North Alabama home.

Will Hoge is a Grammy nominated singer, songwriter and musician who has toured with artists like Shinedown and Needtobreathe. He has performed on three occasions at the Grand Ole Opry. Hoge penned the 2013 Grammy nominated Eli Young song “Even if it Breaks Your Heart”, and Country hit band Lady Antebellum recently covered Hoge’s song, “Better off Now”.

Uncle Lucius are a group of talented young Texans whose songs are reminiscent of everything from The Doors to early Black Crowes. The band’s music comes from the deep roots of rock and roll, combining it with elements of blues and r&b.Expect an energetic upbeat show from this Indie rock band.

Mayfest features approximately 100 fine visual artists and 20 craftspeople during the four-day festival. Entries are professionally judged according to strict guidelines through a blind jury process. Many participating artists in recent years reported record sales after Mayfest; therefore competition for booth space is increasing each year. Mayfest artists work in various mediums, including wood, clay, paints and more.

“Mayfest is a real jewel in the crown of Tulsa’s entertainment,” said Kevin Byrne, a potter and past Mayfest artist. “It’s a great way to see quality art and a great way to show my pieces to Tulsa. The crowds at Mayfest really payoff in exposure for myself and my work.”

Additionally, Mayfest showcases more than 75 performers on three outdoor stages each year. Musicians from all genres have the opportunity to receive exposure and recognition from more than 350,000 attendees during the event. Musicians from rock to blues and country to jazz all performed in 2012.

Visual artist applications are available online at www.zapplication.org. All visual artist applications must be submitted online by Jan. 31, 2013. Performing artist applications are available online at www.sonicbids.com/tulsamayfest. All performance applications must be submitted online by Jan. 11, 2013.

The art festival offers vendors selling arts and handmade goods, various art shows, live music and food vendors.

About Tulsa International Mayfest
Tulsa International Mayfest is a family friendly outdoor tribute to the arts and music created to promote a broader knowledge of and appreciation for arts and humanities among serious, as well as casual art lovers. More than 350,000 people are expected to attend this year’s event, celebrating 41 years of Mayfest, on May 16-19, 2013. Mayfest is presented by MidFirst Bank.